Lucid Group sets the vision for its team of committed Mental Health First Aiders
October 9, 2020 | Lucid, Medical Communications, Wellbeing, human resources, mental health
As we approach World Mental Health Day, Lucid’s team of Mental Health First Aiders reflect on their training and set the vision for how they will be supporting the organisation and its people.
Karina Rudzinska leads Lucid Group’s wellbeing initiatives – LucidBeing, and is also its HR Manager. In the lead-up to World Mental Health Day, Karina discusses the vision for Lucid’s newly trained team of Mental Health First Aiders:
Angela Young, Katherine Weight, Victoria William, Karina Rudzinska, Karl Kemp-O’Brien, Owen Davies, Giselle Quartin, Jane Juif, Deborah Burrage, Elizabeth Scott. Different teams, different roles, different people. One of the things we all have in common though is that we are your Mental Health First Aiders who want to champion mental health for all.
On the 10th October, every year since 1992 societies around the globe observe World Mental Health Day, a programme by the World Federation for Mental Health. In line with this year’s event, we wanted to take some time to talk about what you can expect from your newly qualified Mental Health First Aiders.
First of all, expect passion and commitment to our responsibilities – we have all volunteered to take on these roles, as mental wellbeing is very close to our hearts for one reason or another. Furthermore, we now have all been qualified to action any mental health concerns following a best practice approach, in collaboration with Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England. We feel it’s important to share with you how we can help you.
First and foremost, we will approach you at the right time and place to start an open, confidential conversation. We might reach out based on our own initiative, or through your own request, or request of someone who worried for you and asked us to check in. We will make sure you feel safe when we approach you about this.
Through this conversation, we will assess what you might be struggling with to then ascertain how to assist you. We might ask you about your thoughts, behaviours, any recent events that might be connected to how you are feeling and acting. We are not being nosey; a frank conversation is fundamental for us to be able to help you.
We will actively listen and communicate with you non-judgementally, acknowledging what you are going through. We are here to understand what you are going through to be able to signpost you to appropriate sources of help. We will assist you in making your own decisions rather than make the decisions for you.
We will provide you with emotional and practical support, and information. We will compassionately guide you to relevant, high-quality content and resources to ensure you get the help you might need. We are happy to have a cuppa with you just to chat, if this is all you need to get better.
We will encourage you to seek appropriate professional help if we think it might be required. We will discuss your options with you to enable you to take the next steps. We cannot and will not force you to get help, however, we will be keen to explore why you might not be wanting to seek help. And to reassure you we are here to support you, should you change your mind.
We will also encourage you to seek other sources of support. Family, friends, community, self-help strategies, Employee Assistance Programme, Vitality healthcare plan are examples of what we can explore together.
Finally and very importantly, we might ask you at some point if you are having suicidal thoughts. Asking about suicide does not encourage it, nor does it lead an individual to start thinking about it; in fact, it can start a potentially life-preserving conversation. If we ascertain that you are a danger to yourself or others, we might have to speak to someone outside of our dialogue to seek urgent help. We will tell you, if we can, if that’s the case.
It’s crucial to remember every mental health journey is ultimately a unique and personal experience, and we will flex our approach depending on what you need – however, regardless of what course events might take, we want you to know that you do not have to be going it alone.
This content was provided by Lucid Group Communications Limited
Company Details
Latest Content from Lucid Group Communications Limited
Lucid Group make the cut for Communiqué in seven different categories.
Lucid Group’s pioneering approach to healthcare communications has been recognised with five of its programmes making the shortlist across five categories, as well as making the finals for the two company awards:The five shortlisted programme category awards are:EXCELLENCE IN NATIONAL OR LOCAL EDUCATION MEETINGS/STAND-ALONE...
The Lucid Group Guide
We work hard at Lucid Group. Transforming lives, it's not a walk in the park. We’re a team. In fact, we are many teams. Working together to discover, define, design,...
Our #LucidLife
We asked our people: Why do you do what you do? - What makes you get out of bed in the morning? The responses had a common theme - it's...
Lucid Group opens our new space in Marlow
This week marks an important step for everyone here at Lucid Group, as we re-open our premises in the UK and US and evolve to a hybrid way of working....
A personal perspective on autism
The whole month of April is Autism Awareness Month. To help mark the end of such an important month we’re sharing a personal perspective to spread kindness and autism awareness:When...
Lucid Group is building its data analytics capability
Lucid Group is building a new data analytics capability into its teams with the appointment of Darren Selmes as its new analyst. This appointment signals the start of a stronger...
Lucid Group promotes Clare Reynolds to Director of Business Development and Commercial Integration
As Lucid continues to evolve, its people have remained at the heart of its success. Clare Reynolds has played a key part in Lucid’s journey for nearly 12 years, during...
A magic milestone: Sally’s 10-year #LucidLife workiversary
Our people define our culture and there is no better example of what we are striving to achieve than what Sally Ratcliffe, Scientific Director, Lucid Group, has demonstrated over the...
Virtually, the same: Is it time to rethink congress strategy?
In this month’s PME, Jonathan Andrew, Technology Director at Lucid Group discusses the digital transformation that swept through the medcomms industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, we saw...
Lucid Group Bolster its Senior Leadership Team
Lucid Group are delighted to welcome Jo Troman to the role of Managing Partner for team Origins. Jo has a wealth of industry experience from both client and agency sides....